Police investigate alleged assault during hostage poster clash

The PCSO had radioed to the control room “for an officer to attend but those present had left the scene prior to the officer arriving,” the Met said. “It should be noted that PCSOs do not have the power of arrest and do not carry handcuffs.”

Poster of kidnapped Israeli in St John's Wood[Missing Credit]

Police added that they were “aware of concerns raised by people present about the immediate actions of the PCSO and these are being looked into.

“Our officers and PCSOs regularly deal with challenging and dynamic situations and need to make fast-time decisions. They know their actions will be rightly scrutinised and they will be held to account where appropriate.”